Keith Riches CEng. FRAeS

Experience

• 

  Royal Air Force (RAF)

  Sept 1968 - Dec 1976

  Aircraft Fitter

  Apprentice at RAF Halton then various postings on fixed wing and helicopters. Also involved in major structural modifications and repairs.

• 

  Bristow Helicopters

  Aug 1977 - Jun 1988

  Chief Engineer

  Held various positions as a Licensed Engineer. Chief Engineer in Malaysian operation with fleet of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

• 

  Civil Aviation Authority

  Aug 1988 - Apr 2005

  Senior Airworthiness Surveyor

  Held various positions as Senior Surveyor and Regional Manager in UK and overseas. Worked in new aircraft certification, Continuing Airworthiness oversight of UK and overseas approved operators and maintenance organisations. Also worked in an advisory capacity with several overseas countries.

• 

  MK Airlines

  Apr 2005 - May 2010

  Responsible for management of the company Quality Assurance and Safety Management Systems along with airline security. Responsible for the EASA Part M functions of the airline. Managed the transition of the airline from Ghana to full EASA compliance for the AOC, Part 145, 147 and Part M and recertification of the fleet to EASA standards. Responsible for the Part 145 functions of engineering.

  • Director of Safety and Quality

    Jan 2010 - May 2010

  • Continuing Airworthiness Manager

    Jun 2009 - Jan 2010

  • Engineering Manager

    Apr 2005 - Jun 2009
• 

  Flying Fish Airworthiness Services

  May 2010 - Apr 2011

  Managing Director

  New aircraft delivery and certification/registration. Assistance with setting up and approval of Part 145 and Part M Maintenance and Continuing Airworthiness organisations, Quality Assurance and Safety Management System advice. Asset recovery. Aircraft leasing in/out.

• 

  JSC Prime Aviation

  Feb 2011 - Jan 2016

  Overall responsibility for the Engineering and Flight Operations group ensuring a close integration of the two areas to ensure the highest level of safety and service to aircraft owners and contractors of our services. Ensuring the company meets international regulatory standards in support of our worldwide operations. Managing the delivery of Challenger, Global and Airbus aircraft. Having completed a short contract with Prime Aviation through my consultancy and this led to my being offered a permanent position. The company has ambitious plans and aims to strengthen it's position as an operator of the highest standards in the region.We specialise in the sale, Acquisition, Consultancy, Management and Charter of Western Executive Aircraft.

  • Vice President Engineering and Operations

    Feb 2011 - Jan 2016

  • Vice President Engineering and Maintenance

    Feb 2011 - Apr 2011
• 

  Independent Consultant

  Feb 2016 - now

  Airworthiness and Compliance Consultant

  After 5 years working with my previous client my work there is complete and I have returned to consulting. I have a proven track record in establishing systems and procedures to ensure compliance in various organisations from airlines and maintenance organisations to manufacturing and process companies. I have also been responsible for managing aircraft acquisition, VVIP completion and certification with several registries.

• 

  The Registry of Aruba

  Jul 2016 - now

  Designated Inspector
• 

  Comlux

  Jul 2017 - Jun 2020

  Head Of Quality

  Heading up the Quality Assurance, Quality Control and Training Departments at the Completions and Maintenance Centre in Indianapolis. Maintaining EASA and FAA Part 145 approvals as well as several other Registries as well as Airbus, Boeing and Bombardier approvals. During my time there we gained AS9110 approval in addition to the AS9100 already held and FAA Class 4 rating. We were one of the first companies to apply to the FAA SMS Voluntary program.

• 

  Sterling Airworthiness Services

  Jun 2020 - now

  Director

  After 54 years of full time working in Aircraft Maintenance, Airworthiness Regulation and Certification I am now consulting on a part time basis. Working with Registries and Operators worldwide on Aircraft Certification, New Aircraft Deliveries, Interior Completion Projects, Independent Quality Audits and SMS Compliance.